وَإِن كَانَ كَبُرَ عَلَيْكَ إِعْرَاضُهُمْ فَإِنِ ٱسْتَطَعْتَ أَن تَبْتَغِىَ نَفَقًا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ أَوْ سُلَّمًا فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ فَتَأْتِيَهُم بِـَٔايَةٍ ۚ وَلَوْ شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ لَجَمَعَهُمْ عَلَى ٱلْهُدَىٰ ۚ فَلَا تَكُونَنَّ مِنَ ٱلْجَـٰهِلِينَ 35
Translations
And if their evasion is difficult for you, then if you are able to seek a tunnel into the earth or a stairway into the sky to bring them a sign, [then do so]. But if Allāh had willed, He would have united them upon guidance. So never be of the ignorant.
Transliteration
Wa-in kana kabura 'alayka i'raduhum fa-ini staṭa'ta an tabtaghi nafaqan fi al-ardi aw sullaman fi al-sama'i fatatiyhim bi-ayah. Wa-law sha'a Allahu la-jama'ahum 'ala al-huda. Fala takunnanna mina al-jahilin.
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah addresses the Prophet's (ﷺ) distress at the Meccan polytheists' rejection and turning away from his message. Allah consoles him by clarifying that even if he could miraculously tunnel through the earth or ascend a ladder to the sky to bring them a sign, their guidance ultimately depends on Allah's will—not on extraordinary miracles. The concluding warning instructs the Prophet not to despair like the ignorant, emphasizing that his duty is to convey the message, while guidance and misguidance rest with Allah alone.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah Al-An'am (revealed in Mecca) and addresses the Prophet's emotional burden during the early Meccan period when the Quraysh persistently rejected his message despite clear signs. It serves as divine consolation and wisdom regarding the nature of prophethood and divine will, reminding the Prophet that miraculous signs alone cannot override human free will.
Related Hadiths
The hadith in Sahih Muslim records the Prophet's (ﷺ) statement: 'The most difficult day of my life was the day of Uhud,' reflecting his deep concern for his people's guidance. Additionally, Surah 10:99 contains a related principle: 'And had your Lord willed, those on earth would have believed—all of them together. Then, would you compel the people in order that they become believers?'
Themes
Key Lesson
True guidance comes from Allah alone, not from extraordinary displays or signs; believers should not despair when their sincere efforts to convey truth are rejected, as this reflects a timeless reality of human choice. The lesson encourages steadfastness in faith without attributing outcomes to oneself, maintaining humility and trust in Divine wisdom.
Related Ayahs
وَرَبُّكَ ٱلْغَنِىُّ ذُو ٱلرَّحْمَةِ ۚ إِن يَشَأْ يُذْهِبْكُمْ وَيَسْتَخْلِفْ مِنۢ بَعْدِكُم مَّا يَشَآءُ كَمَآ أَنشَأَكُم مِّن ذُرِّيَّةِ قَوْمٍ ءَاخَرِينَ
And your Lord is the Free of need, the possessor of mercy. If He wills, He can do away with you and give succession after you to whomever He wills, just as He produced you from the descendants of another people.
وَقَالُوا۟ مَا فِى بُطُونِ هَـٰذِهِ ٱلْأَنْعَـٰمِ خَالِصَةٌ لِّذُكُورِنَا وَمُحَرَّمٌ عَلَىٰٓ أَزْوَٰجِنَا ۖ وَإِن يَكُن مَّيْتَةً فَهُمْ فِيهِ شُرَكَآءُ ۚ سَيَجْزِيهِمْ وَصْفَهُمْ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ حَكِيمٌ عَلِيمٌ
And they say, "What is in the bellies of these animals is exclusively for our males and forbidden to our females. But if it is [born] dead, then all of them have shares therein." He will punish them for their description. Indeed, He is Wise and Knowing.
وَإِن يَمْسَسْكَ ٱللَّهُ بِضُرٍّ فَلَا كَاشِفَ لَهُۥٓ إِلَّا هُوَ ۖ وَإِن يَمْسَسْكَ بِخَيْرٍ فَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
And if Allāh should touch you with adversity, there is no remover of it except Him. And if He touches you with good - then He is over all things competent.
وَلَا تَطْرُدِ ٱلَّذِينَ يَدْعُونَ رَبَّهُم بِٱلْغَدَوٰةِ وَٱلْعَشِىِّ يُرِيدُونَ وَجْهَهُۥ ۖ مَا عَلَيْكَ مِنْ حِسَابِهِم مِّن شَىْءٍ وَمَا مِنْ حِسَابِكَ عَلَيْهِم مِّن شَىْءٍ فَتَطْرُدَهُمْ فَتَكُونَ مِنَ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ
And do not send away those who call upon their Lord morning and afternoon, seeking His face [i.e., favor]. Not upon you is anything of their account and not upon them is anything of your account. So were you to send them away, you would [then] be of the wrongdoers.